Hitch device



Oct. 11, 1960 w. A. HYLAND ETAL 2,955,848

HITCH DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Jan. 3l, 1958 ATTORNEYSOct. l1, 1960 w. A. HYLAND ETAL 2,955,848

HITCH DEVICE Original Filed Jan. 3l, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. NWILLIAM A. HYLAND ARNOLD E. WELCK Oct. 11, 1960 w. A. HYLAND ETAL v2,955,848

HITCH DEVICE Original Filed Jan. 31, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 .INVENTORS.WILLIAM A. HYLAND ARNOLD E. WELCK ATTORNEYS United States Patent lice2,955,848 Patented Oct. 11, 1960 HITCH DEVICE William A. Hyland andArnold E. Welck, Horicon, Wis., assignors, by mesne assignments, toDeere & Company, a corporation of Delaware Original application Jan. 31,1958, Ser.,No. 712,352. Divided and this application Feb. 2, 1959, Ser.No. 790,728`

cation Ser. No. 712,352 for Hitch Device led January 31, 1958.

The present invention relates generally to agricultural implements andmore particularly to hitches for a plurality of implements, such asgrain drills, field cultivators and the like.

The object and general nature of the present invention is the provisionof a new and useful hitch device especially adapted for use withimplements that have end wheels and which therefore must be hitchedtogether in staggered arrangement in order to provide for uniform groundcoverage.

More specically, it is a feature of this invention to provide means inthe nature of a multi-unit hitch having extension means with its ownground wheel, whereby connection of end-wheel drills may readily be madeto the hitch with proper overlap to secure uniform row spacing.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which the preferred embodiment of our inventionhas been shown by way of illustration.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a top perspective View of a hitch device and associatedimplements, in which the principles of the present invention have beenincorporated.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the lines 2 2of Fig. l and showing certain details of the caster wheel supportmounting, and associated parts.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the hitch device of the presentinvention, showing the same as arranged for endwise transport.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing one of thecaster wheel mountings and also the lock out means associated therewithfor holding the caster wheel against castering, particularly in theendwise or transport position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one of the extensionsfor the hitch device and the connection of a caster wheel support to theouter portion of the extension.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing the pivot connection between one ofthe stabilizer rods and the associated implement frame.

The multi-unit hitch of the present invention is indicated in itsentirety by the reference numeral 10 and is shown as receiving a pair ofend wheel grain drills 11 and 12, each grain drill having supportingwheels 13 and 13a disposed outwardly of the ends of the grain drillhoppers 14 and 14a. By virtue of this construction it is necessary tohitch the drills in staggered relation-so as to provide for a uniformcoverage over the desired wide area it is desired to drill. Thisinvention is particularly concerned with a particular hitch structureaccommodatinga staggered arrangement of the implements.r

The hitch device 10 comprises a normally transversely extending framemember in the form of a pipe or tube 17 to the central portion of whicha forwardly extending tongue 18 is connected by any suitable means, suchas upper and lower straps 19 bolted or otherwise xed to the rear end ofthe tongue 18. The latter extends forwardly and receives an eye member21 that is secured, as by bolts 22, to the forward end of the tongue 18.Like the member 17, the tongue 18 is also in the form of a pipe ortubular fmember. The member 21 is preferably in the form of a castingand is adapted to receive an associated part 23 to which the draw bar 24of the associated tractor is connected, as by hitch pin 25. Preferably,the member 23 is secured to the member 22 by bolt means 26. A pluralityof brace rods 28 are connected, as by bolts 27, to the pipe member 17through brackets 29 weldedto or otherwise connected with the pipe member17. The yforward ends of the brace rods 28 are connected to thegenerally central portion of the tongue 18 by means of flanged plates 30that are welded to the tongue 18 and have flanges that are apertured, asat 31, to receive pins or bolts 32 that connect the forward ends of therods 28 to the plates 30. A plurality of openings 31 is provided so asto receive additional rods 28a, as when extensionpipes are used (Fig.5).

The pipe member 17 receives a pair of caster wheel assemblies 35 and 36.Each assembly comprises a curved pipe or arch member in the form of acaster support 37 that at its upper end is secured, as by welding, to avertically disposed sleeve 38 that forms a pivot bearing, the connectionbeing reinforced by a U-shaped strap 39 that forms connecting meansbetween the sleeve 38 and the upper forward portion of the member 37. Acaster wheel fork 41 receives a ground wheel 42 and includes two sidesections 43 and an upper interconnecting section 44 to which avertically extending spindle 4S is fixed, as by welding. Throughsuitable bearing means the spindle is mounted for oscillation within thesupporting sleeve 38 and at the upper end of the sleeve 38 a springsupporting ange 47 is rigidly connected. The spindle 45 extends upwardlybeyond the upper end of the sleeve 38 and receives a compression spring4S, the upper end of which bears against an abutment washer 49adjustably connected to the upper end of the spindle 45. The spring 48holds the caster wheel unit 41 against undesirable oscillation.

Forming a part of the caster Wheel fork unit 41 is an upper plate 55carrying a stop bar 56 against which the edge of the member 44 bears,whereby the upper plate 55 turns with the caster Wheel fork 41 andspindle 45. The plate 55 is extended generally rearwardly and apertured,as at 58, to receive a locking pin 59 that may be disposed in a lockingpin bracket 61 secured, as by welding, to one side of the strap member39. The bracket 61 has a pair of apertured legs and these apertured legsand the apertured plate S5 form a pair of apertured registeringportions, one on the wheel fork 41 and the other on the adjacent part ofthe support 37, which hold the caster wheels against castering, as maybe required when operating on vsteep hillsides, Ior in a transportopening away from the apertured portions to permit the wheels 42 tocaster, as shown in the drawing.

The caster wheel support 41 may be locked in other positions, as in anormal straight ahead position shown in Fig. l if conditions shouldrequire that castering be prevented, as for example, when operating onsteep hillsides. Normally the locking pin 59 of each caster Wheel unit35 is carried in an opening 63 formed in the upper portion of theassociated curved caster wheel support member 36. Carrying the lockingpins 59 in the openings 63 disposes the pins out of the way of thecaster wheel fork parts and thus accommodates free castering through360, yet the pins are conveniently available for Yhillsides or indesired position 'along the pipe 17,

-locking the wheels against castering when desired. Each locking pin isprovided with Aan apertured vend 64 torre-r Y i Each casterwheelfsupport 36 -is 4vided -With-a second opening 66 (Pig. 5) locatedsp that when thewheerronk 4I is swung around into its normal position(Fig. `.l) the 'locking pin 49 can be insertedthrough'the" opening 66and in to the opening 58 in the" plate 455'soas to lock-the caster wheelagainst swinging," as `when operating onfsteep i Y l v otherconditioiislwhlere casten'ng would be objectionable. 1 n Y Referringagain to -?1'\`ig.4 3, the -foryvard `implement 11 vis' prnyiddiwiththeeusharhirhi 7 1- and -the latter is connected by-hitcli'm'je'gns'72'to7 a laterally adjustable 'clam 74 that, as shown in Fig."3,comprises two' parts `J'l5""`a"ndy 75 hred'V labout the' main -hitchjframe pipe17 by bolts 77. {I'h clai'1p`v7fl maybe shifted :toa eitherinside `orfojx1tsideV the 'associated' casterfwheel lnit" 35ias'requned, according to the width o'f' the machines" 'orirhple'inntsltob'ponnectedtothe hitch 10." 'l H rA'cco'rdirxgto thisinvention, we provide a new and improved hitch attachments!) for'connecting the rearV iinpleinent 172 with the' multi-unit hitch 10.`The attachment 80 [comprises a generallywfgre'andmaft extending lpipemember 81 carrying a-'yoket 82Y at its fo'r'wardiendfthatfis at" two'points to' the"rea portion'Y of the' associated lamp74.VV "The twoclamps' 75 `an`d f76 are eiterided rearwa-rdly and are'prvidd with Va ofrea'rpe'ning's, ohe of which receives' the fr'ear clamp vboltf77.`The'frnt end of the member 31l is'connectdbya horizontl'pvot vpi 86 withtheattachnientyoke'3'that is xed-t'o theV associate'd c'lam'p'74'by the'rear bolt 77 andV by 'an'adlditional bolt 841 yThelrill 11is pivotall'yco'nctedbfy 4 vertical hitch pin 87 tothe rightvv hand platesf'75 76andthe rear-"drill 1'2 is pivotally'conneted by a similiar hitch pin 87dto the rear end of the member 81 The grain 'drillsll and 12'aremaintained inthe proper relative position laterally by meansof twostabilizer rods 91 and 92#l 'The stabilizer rod 91l forms a rigidi'nembrthatA comprises 94,onehook`ediinto and thereby pivotally connected`withthe adjacent ment I1.V i The reariend of the otherl prt 94"is"pi`vstallyconnected, as at end ofthe latter alsd'carries lalaterally'entendingbaket A98 carrying axle'rneaiis onwhich' rearVit'fle'el"99"is journaled. 'Ihe other stabilizer rod 92 isA of similarcon? struction, inclding two telescopically associ'atedY 101 andV 102heldin positions of adjusted length byf'set screw and lock nutmeans1'03. Therear end 4101a of the part '101 is formed"as a hool andwhen in "use-is pivotally connectedjas best shownin'Fig. 6,7to a bracketportion 'ofthe .frame of the Yfrvva'rtif impl- Y 96, with 'anaperti-trennung svfrrmelsl im or carried by the rear end of the memberlf'lli' rear 101e, to" the adjacentfangle of theframeof -thefffwafnd'implemenf .11- The' .other Part 192 S Piv'tall'y connected,y as'atj 104, to a rearwardly extending apercentral portion ofthe pzip`17.'Asww'ill' be seenfrom Fig. ly tlevleillgthV of thehiteh member 8.1 riswhere the width of the two implements might be objectionable, afterdisconnecting Vthe adjustable rods 91 and 92 one of the implements maybe hitched directly to the center lug and then the other implement maybe hitched behind the firstgrvnplement.

If the conditions `rares'uchi that it is not desired to have the wheels42 caster, .thedocking pins 59 may be removed from the. openings`.i1.1s,,=rte .1 mitzvah-the @lt .li-MW .1.11 l? helfprlslglk theheelsagalnst movement poi edout Iaiupye. If

ehnnelzhke isar'i 12s; th hangen 'of whichare werden shown in Fig. 3 toarrang'e nnitfufpr ndwise tremper?! 111.@ P91119@ ansiassgciated parts,and the elle aSSOCi ed, parte femme@ s arranged for e e When thus.arranged. al S n1 to.' stippen It is'therefore a simplematter to arrangehitch device of the present invention for endvts. transito#- Ti-Ssr'Wilt@- smblv 35 (tight han@ Porti@ Qf Fig-"1) end'attach it to the'ther.end, of the irme. nip@ member fixed t0. that end 0f the member 1T di..13Y fthe Pipe. @mbe 17 is provided with a hiih'ift'lqth A.Vt'oreeeive',Y a conventional hitch clevis 131; It. will be seen fromFig. 3 Athat, the hitch part 130 is disposed at aiidthat 'the part 130lies wholly withiith'e extended cylindrical surfaee of the pipe 174."'As will-be' explained th-convenient attztle'hrnent-V of -apipeegttension when a wider litchfis desired as indicated in Fig. 5.SuchY a implements are or ifa rvnlmtfeer`` greater' two` are Y' rennaY3y n` wiuhe Yseen that the ings es; 1 0, which theotfrends of-V thelonger ybrace side'V are connected,

bers'iia'id 140 that is shown in detail in Fig. 5. Each extensionincludes an extension pipe member 141 open at its inner end so as topass over the associated hitch part 130. The outer portion of theextension member 140 is provided with a caster wheel attaching bracket143, which includes an attaching plate 144 substantially the samedimensionally as the caster wheel support bracket plate 126 shown inFig. 3 and the attaching plate portion 128 shown in Fig. 2. Thus,.asbest shownrin Fig. 5, WhenA either or both of the extensions 140 are tobe used, the adjacent caster wheel assembly 35, or 35a, is removed fromthe associated bracket 124 or 124a, the extension 140 attached to thepipe member 17 Y- and the disconnected caster wheel assembly xed to theextension attaching bracket 143. When the extensions 140 are used, it isdesirable to add a third set of brace rods 28a, connecting them tosuitable lugs such as those shown as xed to the channel members 125 and125:1, on the extension attaching brackets 143 and to pivot meansinserted in the openings 31.

In order to insure proper alinement and the secure attachment of eachextension 140 to -the main frame member 17, we provide pairs of clampplates 145. The upper plate of each pair is apertured to receive a pai-rof locating pins 1'46 on each outer end portion of the member 17. Also,the clamp plates 145 have apertured anges 150 to 4receive clamping bolts153. To further insure secure attachment and to prevent the developmentof any looseness, one of the clamp plates of each pair is tapped andthreaded to receive set screws 156 that, when tightened, makes theclamping action of the plates 151 and 15,2 more secure.

Having described one preferred form of our invention, what we claim anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A multiple implement hitch for two end wheel implements or the like,adapted to be positioned in staggered arrangement, said implement hitchcomprising a transverse hitch frame bar, caster wheel supports fixed tothe end portions of said frame bar and extending forwardly therefrom, ahitch receiving member attached to each end portion of said frame bar,one being adapted to receive the forward one of said two implements, agenerally fore and aft extending hitch bar pivotally connected at itsforward end with the other of said hitch-receiving members, a supportingground ywheel connected with the rear end of said fore and aft extendinghitch bar, a hitch-receiving member on the rear end of said fore and aftextending hitch bar and adapted to -receive the rear of the other ofsaid staggered end wheel implements, said fore and aft extending hitchbar being of sufficient length to dispose the laterally inner end wheelof the rear implement behind the adjacent laterally inner end wheel ofthe forward implement, and stabilizing means disposed behind saidtransverse frame lbar and connected at its laterally outer end with saidfore and aft extending hitch bar and adapted to be connected at itslaterally inner end with the adjacent portion of said forward implement.

2. The invention set forth in claim 2, further characterized byv saidstabilizing means comprising a first rigid stabilizing member, and asecond fore and aft extending stabilizing member connected at itsforward end with said frame bar between said caster wheel supports andadapted to be connected at its rear end with said forward implementadjacent the laterally inner end of said first stabilizing member.

3. A multiple implement hitch for two end wheel implements or the like,adapted to be positioned .in staggered arrangement, said implement hitchcomprising a transverse hitch frame bar, caster wheel supports xed tothe end portions of said frame bar and extending forwardly therefrom, ahitch receiving member attached to each end portion of said frame bar,one being adapted to receive the forward one of said two implements, agenerally fore and aft extending hitch bar pivotally connected at itsforward end with the other of said hitch-receiving members, a supportingground wheel connected with the rear end of said fore and aft extendinghitch bar, a hitch-receiving member on the rear end of said fore and aftextending hitch ybar and adapted to receive the rear of the other ofsaid staggered end wheel implements, said fore and aft extending hitchbar being of sufhcient length to dispose the laterally inner end wheelof the rear implement behind the adjacent laterally inner end wheel ofthe forward implement and said supporting ground wheel beingsubstantially in axial alignment with the end wheels of said forwardimplement, and lateral stabilizing means connected at its laterallyouter end with said fore and aft extending hitch bar and adapted to beconnected at its laterally inner end with the adjacent portion of saidforward implement.

4. A multiple :implement hitch for two end wheel implements or the like,adapted to be positioned in staggered arrangement, said implement hitchcomprising a tnansverse hitch frame bar, caster wheel supports fixed tothe end portions of said frame bar, means to hitch the forward implementto one end portion of said frame bar, an implement-receiving hitch lugon the central portion of said frame bar, a generally fore and aftextending hitch bar pivotally connected at its forward end with theother end portion of said frame bar, a supporting ground wheel connectedwith `the rear end of said fore and aft extending hitch bar, ahitch-receiving member on the rear end of said fore fand aft extendinghitch bar and adapted to receive the rear of the other of said staggeredend wheel implements, a lfirst stabilizing means disposed behind saidtransverse frame bar and connected at its laterally outer end with saidfore and aft extending hitch bar and adapted to be connected at itslaterally inner end with the adjacent portion of said forward implement,and a second stabilizing means connected between said hitch lug and theadjacent end portion of said forward implement.

5. The invention set forth in claim 4, further characterized by saidfore and aft extending hitch bar being of suliicient length to disposethe laterally inner end wheel of the rear implement behind the adjacentlaterally inner end wheel of the forward implement and said ground wheelsubstantially in alignment with the end wheels of said forwardimplement, said rear implement being connected with vthe rear end ofsaid fore and aft extending hitch bar at a point in rear of said groundwheel and for lateral swinging relative to said hitch b-ar.

6. A multiple implement hitch for two end wheel irnplements or the like,adapted to be positioned in staggered arrangement, said implement hitchcomprising a transverse hitch frame bar, caster wheel supports connectedwith the end portions of said frame bar, a hitch receiving memberattached to each end portion of said frame bar, one being adapted toreceive the forward one of said two implements, a generally fore and aftextending hitch bar pivotally connected at its forward end with theother of said hitch-receiving members, a supporting ground wheelconnected with the rear end of said fore and aft extending hitch bar, ahitch-receiving member on the rear end of said fore and aft extendinghitch bar and adapted to receive the rear of the other of said staggeredend wheel implements, said fore and aft extending hitch bar being ofsufficient length to dispose the laterally linner end wheel of the rearimplement behind the adjacent laterally inner end wheel of the forwardimplement, and stabilizing means disposed behind said transverse framebar and connected at its laterally outer end with said fore and aftextending hitch bar and adapted to be connected at its laterally innerend with the adjacent portion of said forward implement.

7. A multiple implement hitch for two end wheel implements or the like,adapted to be positioned in staggered arrangement, said implement hitchcomprising a transverse hitch frame bar, ground wheel supports connectedwith the end portions of said frame bar, a hitch receiving

